Engaging with Māori Communities: A Path to Enhanced Wellbeing and Physical Activity
13 November 2024
Engaging with Māori communities is essential to promote physical activity and overall wellbeing within this population. Nuku Ora, an organisation dedicated to fostering health and wellness, is committed to building the capabilities of Māori leaders, enhancing Māori organisational sporting systems, and nurturing positive relationships with iwi. By focusing on these areas, Nuku Ora aims to achieve outcomes that are beneficial to all Māori individuals.
Empowering Māori Leaders
Empowering Māori leaders is critical for creating sustainable change within communities. Nuku Ora invests in training, resources, and mentorship opportunities to strengthen the leadership skills of Māori individuals. This enables them to spearhead physical activity initiatives, acting as role models and advocates who inspire others and promote the importance of health and wellbeing within their communities.
Enhancing Māori Organisational Sporting Systems
Improving the sporting systems within Māori organisations is vital for fostering a supportive environment for physical activity. This involves enhancing infrastructure, providing adequate equipment, and building partnerships with local sports clubs and community organisations. By strengthening these systems, Nuku Ora can offer opportunities for Māori individuals of all ages to participate in diverse physical activities, thus encouraging lifelong engagement and enjoyment.
Building Positive Relationships with Iwi
Nuku Ora recognises the importance of collaborating with iwi such as Ngāti Toa and Te Atiawa. By working together, the organisation aligns its initiatives with iwi aspirations and cultural values, ensuring that Māori outcomes are effectively achieved. This collaborative approach allows for the sharing of knowledge, resources, and expertise, resulting in more culturally appropriate physical activity programs and services.
By engaging all iwi and mana whenua, Nuku Ora seeks to maximise the impact of initiatives. Building strong relationships with various Māori communities helps to understand their diverse needs and aspirations, ensuring that outcomes are tailored to specific contexts and benefit all Māori.
Leaders for the Future
Mentoring in Hockey and Basketball
The Tuakana and Teina approach has brought success to longstanding clubs like Ngāti Toa, which emerged in the 1980s. The youth participation across hockey and basketball has significantly increased, with resources directed towards supporting tamariki (children) and rangatahi (youth). Experienced players provide coaching for local leagues, presenting trusted role models to younger generations.
Multi-Generational Kapahaka
The kapa haka group Te Kairangi o Poutama, founded by previous hui rangatahi participants, has been a beacon for cultural expression over the last five years. Their establishment at regionals in 2024 showcases the capacity to develop leadership while preserving cultural values and identity.
Toa Kairuku Dive Club
Toa Kairuku is a dive club dedicated to fostering diving skills among Ngāti Toa members. Experienced divers teach water safety, skills, and cultural significance, creating a knowledge-sharing environment that ensures safety and deepens cultural appreciation.
Community Celebrations during Matariki
Nuku Ora's support for the Matariki Lights event at Te Rophiha Marae in 2024 highlighted the cultural importance of Matariki to Māori. The festivals drew around 9,000 attendees, showcasing the significance of education and community engagement in understanding Māori traditions.
Collaborative Initiatives and Sports Awards
Nuku Ora’s secondment with Te Rūnanga o Te Āti Awa enabled resource sharing and system changes to enhance community services in sport, health, and education. A prominent initiative is the Wellington Regional Sports Awards 2024, celebrating community achievements through sport and emphasising the value of collaboration with iwi.
Developing Participation Opportunities
Equipment Provisioning for Sports
With successful funding from NZ Community Trust, Nuku Ora has equipped various marae and sports clubs in the Porirua region, easing the financial burden on families and ensuring accessibility to sports resources.
Kaupapa in Numbers
Participation statistics reveal a strong commitment to sports:
- 31 teams from Toa Basketball participated in the 2024 national tournament.
- The first kaumātua Olympics highlighted intergenerational engagement through competitive sports.
Annual Events and Community Engagement
Annual events, such as the Takapūwāhia vs. Hongoeka rugby league, promote whānau connections and celebrate Māori culture. Additionally, offerings for Kura-a-Iwi provide valuable opportunities for students and families to engage in traditional sports and learn about local heritage.
Strengthening Infrastructure
Nuku Ora’s engagement with the Te Aroha Sports Association aims to develop systems supporting community involvement in sports, ensuring resource quality and reporting standards for sustainable development.
Nuku Ora's Te Tiriti Approach: Building a Bicultural Future
Nuku Ora has made remarkable advancements in aligning its practices with Te Tiriti o Waitangi over the past three years. This commitment to bicultural approaches is evident in its operations and relationship-building efforts with Māori communities. Through various initiatives, Nuku Ora is dedicated to ensuring that its internal and external practices honour the spirit of Te Tiriti, fostering an inclusive environment that respects Māori culture and values.
Embedding Te Tiriti in Operations
Nuku Ora has implemented significant policy changes reflecting its dedication to Te Tiriti. These policies transition from merely referencing the principles to acknowledging the full context behind the Articles and Provisions of Te Tiriti. This evolution signifies a commitment to upholding the mana and responsibilities encapsulated in Te Tiriti.
Surveys conducted among staff reveal overwhelming support for Nuku Ora’s bicultural journey. About 97% of kaimahi (staff) feel supported in their individual bicultural journeys, while 92% express confidence in practicing tikanga (customs) within the office. Furthermore, 93% believe they are progressing in their bicultural understanding. This strong endorsement highlights how embedding Te Tiriti has positively influenced the organisational culture and staff engagement.
Enhanced Awareness and Cultural Sensitivity
The internal focus on a bicultural approach has heightened the awareness of how Te Tiriti influences the organisation’s work. By understanding the historical context of Te Tiriti, staff members are better equipped to engage meaningfully and respectfully with Māori communities. This approach has garnered positive feedback from stakeholders, with 72% rating Nuku Ora as effective in advocating for the inclusion of kaupapa Māori (Māori approaches) in physical activity.
Collaborative Relationships with Iwi
A key aspect of Nuku Ora's strategy is fostering collaborative relationships with iwi leaders. By integrating Iwi perspectives into strategic planning, the organisation ensures that the needs and aspirations of iwi communities are prioritised. Currently, two iwi are represented on the Nuku Ora board, with efforts underway to include a third. This representation reflects a commitment to elevating iwi voices in organisational decision-making processes.
Nuku Ora's collaboration with Te Atiawa, including staff secondments for system changes in sport, health, and education, demonstrates its dedication to empowering iwi autonomy. Initiatives like the Hawaiki Hou Tane Ora project and operational changes within the Te Aroha Hutt Valley Association are examples of how Nuku Ora supports community-led solutions.
Expanding Participation and Partnerships
Nuku Ora's partnerships extend beyond formal agreements. The organisation actively engages with iwi and Māori organisations to support health, education, and sports initiatives. Notably, the increase in approved Te Whetu Rehua aligned As Māori TMAA (Te Māori Ariki Toa Mahere Aro) applications reflects growing community involvement, rising from zero to fourteen applications. This uptake showcases the organisation’s success in reaching previously unfunded Māori groups.
Through events like the Rangitane/Makoura College Youth Expo and activities with Kōkiri Marae, Nuku Ora continues to build relationships rooted in respect and cultural appreciation. Feedback from kaumātua at the Rangitane Paora Potangaroa Prophecy Celebration noted the elevated mana (prestige) of their community due to Nuku Ora’s respectful engagement and use of te reo Māori (Māori language) in delivery.
Future Aspirations
Looking ahead, Nuku Ora aims to have a transformative impact on iwi by enhancing cooperation and supporting their strategic goals. The organisation aspires to become a trusted ally to Māori organisations, emphasising regular outreach and support for community initiatives that embody Māori tikanga.
Nuku Ora’s commitment to providing equitable access to recreation and sports, and addressing barriers faced by Māori, reflects its dedication to inclusion and diversity. With a focus on the Māori perspective, Nuku Ora endeavours to be an employer of choice for Kaimahi Māori who are eager to contribute to the organisation's vision.
Conclusion
Nuku Ora's Te Tiriti approach exemplifies a commitment to creating a bicultural environment that values Māori culture and perspectives. By prioritising collaboration with iwi, enhancing internal practices, and expanding community participation, Nuku Ora is poised to drive positive outcomes for Māori communities. This ongoing journey reflects not only a commitment to honouring Te Tiriti but also to fostering a healthier, more inclusive society for all.
